Wednesday, July 29, 2009

in this interesting new york times article, "the cute factor, author natalie angier contends that our collective tendency to worship all things cute: (i.e. youthful, round, soft, innocent, bubbly, helpless) is brought on by our unconscious and innately darwinian desire to protect and nurture our young.

when we are shown something cute, it pulls on our heartstrings in a way that cannot be easily explained.it beckons for us to love it and we cannot help but obey,we are suckers for cuteness. we are putty in its cotton candy coated hand. {or at least, i am!}

in the fashion they feel they love and a unique style that reflects them,

and promoting what they believe to be a magical answer to the west,

they have also been criticized for propagating a society of

feeble.minded and weak individuals who take their life too much sugarand as a result, may be walked all over.

the epitome of cute is none other than sanrio's sweetheart,ms. hello kitty, whose wide set eyes, button nose, and round white body

will bid people like me to buy anything with her face on it.

i must admit, i am sometimes referred to as "miss kitty,"i have the coffee maker, the toaster, the key chains, the stickers, calendars,

stuffed animals, cd players, pinkhead hello kitty jewelry.

sanrio has made millions by licensing out this pretty kitty

to tons of different companies, which is why you will see her cheeky little face

on products of all shapes and sizes.

she also comes in all price points..(as you can see in this glam kitty collection available hereat neiman marcus)

it was not until i read this intriguing article,"hello kitty has no mouth," that i began to think about what it is that draws me to this bewitchingly precious and precocious feline?

utilizing this thought-provoking poem,the author of the article delves into whether or not this mouthless kitty, who essentially has no voice of her own, or agency in this world-is helping or harming a society of impressionable young girls, who (due to their glorification of this cute character) may or may not be able to find their own voice and speak for themselves.